Associated Grocers: Part 3

Although the surrounding scenery needs work, the grocery warehouse background structure is complete, As mentioned previously, several additions were needed to help highlight the loading dock and its sure spots.  

I printed out several sets of 1, 2, 3, 4 numerals for signs to label the doors as specific sure spots. I tried for a happy medium between large enough for an operator to read them easily and small enough for a somewhat realistic scale size. I found 8 pt. font size to approximate that happy medium. For the font I chose "Futura" as it is from the late 1920s and, as a sans-serif, it is easy to read. My attempts to create a border around the numerals did not work well, so the signs are just black numerals on a white background. My application technique was basic: white glue on the back of the tiny cut-out paper rectangles with the signs brushed into place with a clean damp brush followed by a light application of a gray wash.

I decided that Ingleton shelf would be a reasonable place to try out Woodland Scenics' "Just-Plug" system. I included their "Lights and Hub" starter kit and power source with an online order, but found I would either have to drill a large hole through my building's wall or resort to splicing/soldering. So, I spent more money on their gooseneck wall lights and installed two over the loading dock. While the system is pricey, it is relatively easy to add to it. Plus the hub has the ability to dial in the intensity of individual lights. I will wait to make a final decision on the value of the system until I add more to it. 

The next steps will be to fit the building into the scene with first applications of surrounding scenery and adding more details. I can feel accomplished in that I actually finished the building, but I also realize that I still need more practice. The building corners are not square, several joints are less than perfect, and at least one window has an obvious glue smudge. On the other hand, this is a background building on a practice plank built to increase skills and self awareness, not a contest entry.

Gumption Traps and Jack Burgess Solutions

I am building the Ingleton shelf partially to judge amounts of time, energy, and motivation needed for various aspects of model railroading as part of the self-analysis recommended as a first step in designing a model railroad. In my last post I mentioned that building the Associated Grocers building is taking longer than I expected. Not maintaining expected progress and faltering motivation are issues I discussed much earlier in a post on modeler's block. 

In thinking about this over the last week or so, I started remembering a concept from a book I read decades ago. "Gumption traps" are a concept from Robert Pirsig's Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance from 1974. In this post, I will explore the concept, how it might apply to model railroading, and some possible solutions, including some suggestions made in several Jack Burgess videos.

Gumption can be defined as initiative or the energy and determination to accomplish something. Pirsig's concept of gumption "trap" can be thought of as those things that block or stifle gumption. They can sap energy, undermine one's belief that success is possible, and cause one to falter in drive to complete progress or even get started. Pirsig identifies two kinds of gumption traps: external ones that he calls "set backs" and internal ones that he refers to as "hang-ups."

Set Backs:

• Skipping an earlier step: Because the plastic parts were never washed, the paint scuffed off the finished model.
• Can't get a needed part: It's on backorder from Walthers with an unknown timeframe.
• Facing a step that one doesn't know how to do or even find out how to do: The screw is stripped to remove the boiler, so how do I clean the dried up grease from the gears?
• Health or age issues: Between tired eyes and shaky hands, can I even do this any more?
• Comfort/environment issues: The attic was too cold in the winter and too hot in the summer.
• Unexpected expenses: One clear, eight foot 1 X 3 is ten dollars plus tax?
• Oops: This one has almost infinite examples.

Hang-ups:

Hang-ups are personal quirks or psychological issues. Pirsig discusses three: "ego, anxiety, and boredom." Ego can be seen as an unrealistically high self evaluation where new facts or situations aren't considered and asking for help isn't an option. Anxiety is fear of failure. I suspect this is what keeps me from finishing the last steps of things in life and model railroading. Somehow I find "I really like how that is going, but its not quite done yet" (and it never gets done) preferable to the possibility of "I really messed that up." Boredom can be the result of not seeing something freshly or being able to achieve a flow state. Boredom can in turn result in tunnel vision or less than desirable results. (Pirsig's main point was around the meaning or philosophy of "quality" with the concept of gumption trap as a smaller component of his argument. I think I might have to reread his book to see where "good enough" fits in my personal philosophy of quality.)

Solutions: 

In general, most possible solutions to gumption traps revolve around learning how to acknowledge and adjust to them or avoid them. 

While Jack Burgess does not mention or refer to gumption traps in any way, he certainly pinpoints some ways to adjust to and avoid some of my model railroad gumption traps in several of his model railroading videos, particularly Get Organized and Tricks to Better Models. Here are a few from Get Organized:

• Commit to just 15-30 minutes every day
• Have all the parts on hand (perhaps put yourself on the stockpile to hoarding continuum) 
• Have all the tools on hand at the workbench 
• Be able to find what you want
• Stock what you will need
• Use an Optivisor

The Tricks video stresses the use of jigs. If one needs multiples of a sub-assembly creating a jig is not an extra step, but a time saver leading to more consistent results. As I get older, my always shaky hands are getting worse. Finding ways to utilize a stable "third hand," create a temporary jig, or to stabilize my hand may prevent frustration.

This post may have strayed from model railroading into pop philosophy and psychology, but it was a useful exploration, at least for me!

Associated Grocers: Part 2

 

Continuing on with this structure build, I scratch-built a loading dock, one of the next steps mentioned in my last post, intended as a feature of the Associated Grocers warehouse. 

As I planned on using scale lumber that I had on hand, a first task that I needed to tackle was unpacking and organizing my strip wood. Having asked my wife's family to save their paper towel tubes to add to the ones we collected, I inserted them into a box on a workshop shelf along with a sketch labeling their contents. I also updated my reference table of scale to actual measurements. Knowing what I had on hand and the measurements of the warehouse and track location, I went ahead and drew up plans for the dock seen at the beginning of this post. 

While drawing  the scale plans, I also created a cut list of how many pieces of each size of "lumber" I would need. I installed a new blade in my Chopper and rotated the self-healing mat. Then I went ahead and started cutting all the pieces, including a few extra of each size. The Chopper is a real time saver, and it allows for consistent and accurate cuts. While saving time, I always remind myself to not rush, as the user must pay attention to that sharp razor blade while pulling the finished pieces out. 

After cutting all the lengths of stripwood, the next step was to stain them all. The stain I had on hand was Hunterline's "Raw Umber" weathering mix. While applying it full strength, it is a warm dark colored stain. Jumping ahead of myself here, after assembling the dock, I was not happy with the final color. At the time I let the pieces dry overnight, and went ahead with the assembly of the loading dock. 

After the the strip wood had dried overnight, I started  assembly of the dock. While I found that my shaky hands were a bit of a hindrance, I still got into a zone with glueing the loading dock together and never stopped for "in progress" photos. I first taped down my scale drawing on my workbench's plate glass and then taped a sheet of wax paper over the drawing. I used wood glue applied with a toothpick for assembly. I gathered the tools I planned to use: two squares, an older Stanley square with a heavy metal base and a small Zona square, and a pair of tweezers. I glued up the 8" X 16" frame right over the drawing. I then spread enough of the glue for around four or five of the deck boards. Using the base of the Stanley as a backstop or partial jig and the Zona to square up the just applied deck boards, applying the individual boards went smoothly and quickly. After the deck and frame had a chance to set up, I turned it over to glue in the posts. As I mentioned earlier, after the loading dock was completed, I was not satisfied with the dock color. I sanded the surface of the deck to lighten it somewhat and applied a light wash of a different color. I am thinking it it is an acceptable solution, but not ideal.

As seen in the photo above, The kitbashed Associated Grocers warehouse is close to completion. To get to this state I completed several steps in addition to building the loading dock. I glued in the windows and doors, attached the clear styrene window glazing, taped masking tape behind some of the windows to represent window shades, and fit black construction paper behind the windows. I cut and fit a styrene roof for the main structure adding simulated tar paper and several vents. I painted and glued on the roof over the loading dock from the Walthers kit. Also, I used the concrete steps from the kit, but the paint I used appears too light in the photo. An easy solution will be to apply the same wash that I applied to the foundation. To get this photo I had to add some side lighting, as the roof over the loading dock creates a shadow hiding the loading dock and doors which should conceptually be the focus of the building.

The next steps all revolve around highlighting rather than hiding the loading dock area. First of all, I need to continue down the rabbit hole of adding lighting. I ordered several components of the "Just Plug" lighting system, but once I had them, I found a major problem. Yesterday, I traveled to a brick and mortar store not too far from our home (Trains and Lanes in Easton) to pick up some additional components. The loading dock needs some details in addition to lighting. As this structure is intended to provide some sure spots to add operational interest, I also need to add some signage numbering the doors.

Learning Points:

• Experiment with stains ahead of time and develop a "go-to" mix.

• Remember the purpose of the building in making design and construction decisions.

• This project is not reflective of actual time spent in structure building; unpacking, organizing, and waiting for materials all ate up time and energy.